No genetic mutations...

On February 22nd I had a test done to see if I carried a brca gene mutation.  Women with such mutations are at a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, particularly at an early age.  I was hesitant to take the test for many reasons.  For one, I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer and I was afraid if it turned out positive I would have trouble getting medical insurance coverage in the future.  But It was my fear of ovarian cancer that made me do it.  Breast cancer is survivable but ovarian, not so much. 

What I learned about the brca gene mutation is that men carry it as well which means it can pass down from either the mother's or the father's side.  The genetic counselor was especially interested in my paternal grandmother, Josephine who died of ovarian cancer.  But she was 66 years old and when the brca gene mutation is involved, the cancer usually strikes at an earlier age than that.  Still, it was a tense month because that's how long I had to wait for the results.  They made me come into the office to get it as well, they wouldn't just tell me over the phone.  This infuriated me.  It's my body and possibly my genetic mutation and I'm paying for the test.  I should have the right to receive the test results anyway I want to.  The test was NEGATIVE but had it not been I would have preferred to have been in the comfort of my own home to get the test results, not sitting in some stranger's office. 

Needless to say I'm quite relieved I did not have the mutation because it turns out that having it puts you at risk of many other cancers as well such as melanoma, stomach and pancreatic.

It still doesn't explain why I got cancer at 38 years old.

Comments

[dana michelle]

This is great news, which I'm sure you really needed after the events of the last year. It may not have answered all your questions, but at least it must have put some of your fears to rest.

You are very brave to have had the test. I'm not sure I could have done it.

So glad it was negative!